We include this
document here for the
simple reason that it is signed by James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and Secretary of
State during the Louisiana Purchase negotiations. In the letter, sent to the Conseil de Ville in response to
their message of congratulations upon his election, Madison says, "I behold with truest satisfaction, the
advantages which the Territory and City of New Orleans have reaped from their incorporation with the U.
States. [Conseil de Ville. Letters, Petitions and Reports, #563]